Page 65 of Dreams of Ash and Smoke

As we enter our room, the air was heavy with the scent of lavender and sandalwood, a soothing aroma that wraps around us like a warm embrace specifically for our wedding night. Eryx closes the door behind us with a soft click, enveloping us in a cocoon of privacy. The candlelight dances across his features, casting shadows that accentuate the sharp angles of hisface.

Wordlessly, he turns to face me, his eyes dark with desire and something deeper, a raw intensity that sent shivers down my spine. The distance between us seems to shrink until there was nothing but the crackling tension that hung in the air like a tangible thing. The heavy grandeur of the castle falls away, leaving only the intimate space that now contains just Eryx and I. The air is thick with anticipation, our breaths mingling as we stand facing each other in silence. Eryx’s eyes hold a tender warmth that melts away any chill from the rain or lingering fears, and I feel a rush of desire coursing through me.

Without a word, he closes the distance between us, his touch sending shivers down my spine. His lips brush against mine in a soft, gentle kiss that ignites a fire within me. I respond eagerly, my hands finding their way to his hair as I deepen the kiss, losing myself in the taste and feel of him.

Soaked clothes are shed with an urgency born of longing and love, until we stand before each other completely bare, exposed in body and soul. Eryx’s gaze roams over me with a hunger.

* * *

Eryx

Verena’s hands roam across my sculpted chest, tracing the lines of my muscles with reverence and desire. The heat from her indigo irises is palpable, a living thing that pulses in time with my racing heart. She sinks to her knees before me, her eyes never leaving my gaze as the blonde slowly trails kisses down my torso, tasting salty skin in a heady mix. I groan with need and impatience.

Her tongue lashes out, gliding down my skin and over the raven shaped mark of our bond. A shiver wracks my body. Her hand takes my cock,smoothly drifting over it in a back and forth motion. My eyes close in ecstasy but she squeezes my length and they flash open. “Eyes on me, handsome.” Her voice is deeper than usual, heady and full of lust.

She licks up my shaft, sending my body into another shiver and my right hand finds it’s way into her hair, gripping like my sanity depended on it.

She takes me into her mouth, and I gasp at the exquisite sensation that threatens to unravel me completely. Verena’s mouth is warm and wet, her movements expertly driving me wild with need.

I’ve never felt anything like this before. I can barely contain myself. Just before I can reach the edge of ecstasy completely, I gently pull her up to stand before me by her hair.

With a hunger that—no doubt— matches her own, I guide Verena to the bed, laying her down like a precious offering to the Gods. Her wet skin glows in the soft candlelight, ethereal and luminescent against the dark sheets beneath her. I kneel before her, trailing kisses along her inner thighs and giving a small bite to her own bond mark. I needed to taste her.

My hands trace a path of fire along her skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. I feel like I am burning from the inside out from the need to touch her, to taste her, to fill her with me until she remembers nothing but my name and who I am. Consumed by the intensity of my touch, she garbles out gibberish in a breathy moan and I smirk.

With a reverence that borders on worship, I trail my tongue across her, mapping every curve and dip with an intimacy that forces her breath to catch in her throat. When my lips meet the sensitive skin of her cunt, a gasp escapes her pink luscious lips, and she arches toward me, craving more.

The world narrows down to the sensation of my tongue on her skin, sending waves of pleasure cascading through the both of us. I lose myself in her, lapping her up like a pet with a bowl of water. Tasting her is a need, one I’ll cherish for my entire life. I can’t get enough of her scent, the way her body writhes underneath me, her eyes rolling back as I watch her pleasure.

She comes undone then, trying to push my head away in a whimper. I chuckle deeply, moving up after wiping my face and kissing her once more, unable to get my fill of her.

My tongue meets hers, lazily playing with one another and I trace a trail of kisses down her neck, my lips leaving a searing heat in their wake. She gasps at the intensity of the sensation, my hands clutching her hips while hers grip my shoulders as if to anchor myself amidst the whirlwind of emotions that threaten to consume me.

I feel a surge of desire pooling between her thighs again as my cock rubs her hot, wet heat. I lower myself then, my gaze locks with hers, a silent promise of pleasures yet to come.

Chapter 34: You Fight Well

Verena

After a long and arduous day of war preparations, Eryx, Esmeray, and I gather in the outside training courtyard as the sun dips low on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow around us. The air was full of the scent of sweat and leather as we gear up for the sparring session to unwind. My eyes sparkle with determination as I face off against Eryx, my new husband, something I’d never tire of saying.

Once we were ready to go, we circle each other like wolves, our movements fluid and graceful. He seems almost surprised I can keep the same pace as he, but Esmeray trained me right.

He grins, the dark brown eyes never leaving mine as we exchange playful taunts. “You’ve been getting better.” He starts.

“I can’t wait to show you the moves I’ve learned,” I flash him flirty eyes. It had only been a couple of days after our wedding and the townspeople have been loving the celebrations. It truly was an event of the century. The love and support from everyone was surprising to me and I almost didn’t want to believe it.

“Look alive.” The clashing of steel rang through the air as he comes at me with the staff he uses.

“Oh, so authoritative.” I say to him, breathy as I watch him remove his tunic, my gaze traveling along the tattoos and markings painting his body.

“Do not flirt with me, Seren Fach.” His tone held warning as he smacks my stick with his and we suddenly spar with a passion that only fuels our connection. I move with the precision of a seasoned warrior, thanks to Esmeray. My every strike calculated and deadly. Eryx matches me, though, move for move, his eyes alight with admiration for his fierce and beautiful wife.

“Oh, tell me you’re not just a little impressed.” I press, knowing that he is, based on the gleam in his eyes.

As we spar across the grass in the courtyard, our movements became a dance of power and skill, each strike landing with precision but never intending harm. The rhythm of our combat echoes off the open air around us, a melody of strength and unity. Esmeray watches from the sidelines, her expressions a mix of pride and amusement as she saw the bond between Eryx and I grows stronger with each passing moment.

Suddenly, Eryx swept my legs out from under me, sending me tumbling to the ground with a laugh. I land with a thud, the breath knocks out of me for a moment as I gaze up at him, his face hovering above mine with a playful smirk.

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